Still working on getting Trader Joe’s to Decatur…I’ve heard that they are hesitatant to open a new store in the area until the Midtown location picks up. But I’ve also heard fom the corporate office that they are also aware of the Decatur demand for a Trader Joe’s.

If you haven’t already–join the facebook group “Bring Trader Joe’s to Decatur” We’re almost at 1300 members.

(I sure hope that Trader Joe’s (or another grocer) will take a look at the actual foot traffic instead of just writing the shopping center off as not being the right retail mix. Definitely not chi-chi, but those are all probably some of the more profitable stores for their parent companies.And their future looks real good for the next few years.)

And there are multiple ways in and out of that location, so it would not be more trouble than it’s worth to shop there. (I agree with those who pointed out the inconvenience of the Midtown location discourages patronage.)

If Trader Joe’s comes to Decatur, it is going somewhere with a big honkin’ parking lot. Period. Let’s dream a little dream of TJ’s and Costco in N. Decatur Mall. Or maybe that closed Chrysler Dealership out that way. They would want to pick a location close enough to us to cash in on all the Decatur love, but shift things East to get a big cheaper parking lot, appeal to folks out in the direction of stone mountain, and to not further cannibalize the apparently slow midtown store. You could draw a venn diagram of locations that would fit.
These guys look like a great addition to downtown Decatur though. Fantastic. Stable organization in the growing healthcare field that will bring a lot of professionals into our downtown to help support restaurant and retail. I’m assuming their classes are remote, but we can hope that they will occasionally be bringing in folks for training on location. You’d also expect them to have the money needed to do a nice job turning that eyesore into a building that will fit our streetscape.
We can’t forget how dependent all our shops and restaurants are on weekday foot traffic from these types of offices.

I do like the N. Dekalb Mall option better. I want to see that mall revitalized because it was a nice, low key place to shop just a few years back. And a Trader Joe’s/Costco combo would once again make it a major draw for folks from many miles around. Heck, those two together might use up all its parking space! Good problem to have!

And I’m still hoping that the Piggly Wiggly/Suburban Plaza rumor will come to be. That is my favorite fit. The folks at the next door seniors towers would probably prefer that option. And I would LOVE to give directions to my house by saying: “When you get to the Piggly Wiggly…!”

Has anyone ever gotten out of Trader Joe’s with just a walking amount of groceries? My family members come back from there looking like they’re laying in provisions for the next 7 years!

[I’ve just got to say it– Decatur Metro, this headline is a tad off. It should read : “542 Church Street Done Gone&got Sold”. Not quite sure how you write it, but it’s said all one word & fast! Maybe eating collards helps.]